Chapter 23

Scarlett POV

Alexander's gaze gestured toward the items on the bed, his tone casual.

Seeing the current situation clearly, I could only accept my fate. But perhaps I could gain some advantages for myself. After all, I was a businesswoman.

And this... this could also be viewed as a kind of transaction.

"There's no point in pretending to be proper now, is there?" he said. "Hurry up."

I took a deep breath, my heart pounding violently in my chest. I walked to the edge of the bed, carefully maintaining a certain distance from Alexander.

"Giving in so easily?" Alexander seemed somewhat disappointed by my compliance, his eyes flashing with mockery. "Much easier than I expected."

For the first time since waking up, I looked directly into his eyes.

"Isn't this what you want, Mr. Gray? To see me surrender?" My voice was much steadier than I anticipated.

I let the bathrobe slip slightly off one shoulder, a move I had practiced many times, both vulnerable and alluring, previously intended to seduce Richard.

"Besides, tonight I also want..."

"Want what?" Alexander moved closer, interest igniting in his eyes.

"Be specific. Otherwise, how will I know what you want... and don't want?"

I nervously licked my lips, noticing Alexander's gaze lingering there.

My throat felt somewhat dry, and despite the drug's influence, a different kind of heat still spread throughout my body.

"I want... I want to reclaim Smith Industries' shares, and continue project negotiations with Horizon Capital Group."

Alexander seemed surprised by my response, his eyes showing a trace of admiration.

His body also leaned back, examining me with renewed interest, as if seeing me clearly for the first time.

"Business? Are you sure you want to discuss business with me right now?"

"Isn't that why you came to Suncrest City?" I pressed my advantage, my confidence growing with each sentence. "For business!"

A smile appeared on Alexander's face. "Perhaps we're more alike than I imagined, Miss Smith."

His fingers slid along the edge of the leather, that motion almost like a caress, causing me to involuntarily shudder. "Tell me, what exactly did your father invest in at Horizon Capital Group?"

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my accelerating heartbeat, knowing that I now had leverage to negotiate with him.

"A development project, pharmaceutical research. The returns should have been quite substantial."

"And now?" His gaze was sharp, treating the business world like a battlefield, and I was now his enemy.

I bit my lower lip, "Now the project has stalled. Horizon Capital Group refuses to return the investment and has secretly acquired most of Smith Industries' shares."

Alexander nodded thoughtfully. "Then why did you refuse me last time?"

Recalling when I had previously refused Alexander at the hospital out of fear of Richard's retaliation, I felt a surge of irritation and fear.

"Last time I had no choice," I said, with a hint of justification in my voice.

"Now you know who is reliable, don't you? "Clever girl."

Alexander reached out to tuck a damp strand of hair behind my ear. Watching his body move closer, my throat felt painfully dry. The heat from the drug became even more unbearable under his touch.

But immediately, Alexander changed the subject.

"How does the old man Richard usually play with you?" he asked, his tone seemingly casual, but his eyes flashed with inquiry.

I tensed my body. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Alexander's laughter was soft and knowing. "You're about to marry him, you can't possibly not know his preferences."

"You know, I was still a virgin when we first made love," I said cautiously, trying to change the subject.

Alexander looked at me as if studying something through my bathrobe.

"Women nowadays are very good at pretending. First time or fiftieth time—who can tell? How do I know I'm not playing with secondhand goods?"

These vulgar words struck me like a slap to the face, igniting a fire deep within me. Humiliation, anger, and grievance all surged up at once.

I could no longer suppress my emotions; all the accumulated anger exploded in that moment.

"Alexander Gray!" I shouted, my throat trembling.

His eyes flashed with surprise—perhaps due to my outburst, or the impolite address.

"Fine," he unexpectedly conceded, his playful expression seeming to appreciate my anger.

"Let's say it was your first time."

He moved closer to me on the bed, his hand resting on my knee through the thick hotel bathrobe.

I tensed my body, forcing myself not to pull away.

"About Horizon Capital Group and the Smith family shares..." I tried to steer the conversation back on track, at least to reach a consensus on cooperation.

"Later," Alexander interrupted me, his hand sliding to my thigh, that touch feeling like a hot iron even through the bathrobe.

"Business can wait."

I gasped sharply. The drug made each of his touches feel like electric currents, amplifying the sensations beyond my control.

"Mr. Gray," I said, breathing softly, "will you..."

"Will I what?"

His gaze turned to his impaired leg, his eyes flashing with a hint of self-mockery.

"I just exhausted myself helping you upstairs, tonight's activities will depend on you."

I felt at a loss for words... just treat it like being bitten by a dog!

Just as I was about to move closer to Alexander, he inhaled deeply, as if smelling something.

His expression became focused and dangerous, making my heart flutter.

"You smell fragrant," he said in a low voice, his tone husky and alluring.

"What exactly has Richard been giving you?"